Meat & Co., New Haven

The worst sin is to be boring, and that is something John Ginnetti — who with his wife, Danielle, owns 116 Crown, and now Meat & Co. — seems incapable of being.

Originally conceived as a popup business, Meat & Co. opened in the space adjacent to 116 Crown when it became available, and in the parking space in front of it as well. In the warmer weather, Meat & Co. was allowed to cordon off the parking space with large planters connected by chains and turn it into street dining.

In opening Meat & Co., Ginnetti has redressed a New Haven sandwich scene that has suffered significant losses (Yankee Doodle Coffee Shop, TJ’s Breakaway Deli, Judies European Baked Goods) in recent years. Meat & Co.’s logo has the “a” inverted so it puns on “meet,” a further pun on the origin of the word “company,” derived from the Latin “cum” (with) and “panis” (bread), meaning to meet for bread. Sandwiches range from $5.50 to $10. Chips and drinks are extra.

Ginnetti also was about to install a sliding window permitting the cute little sandwich shop to take orders from people queuing on the street. And we overheard him say he would deliver an order of 10 sandwiches or more himself.

On the day we tried Meat & Co., we were able to snag great counter seats with a view of the culinary action. We watched sandwiches being lovingly assembled with bread from Bread & Chocolate in Hamden as well as Whole G Bread in New Haven. According to the sandwich board, the produce used in the sandwiches came from George Hall Farm in Simsbury, Waldingfield Farm in Washington and Two Guys From Woodbridge, just minutes from New Haven.

How good were they? When I find a sandwich I really like, I have a tendency to order it again and again, but curiosity may eventually compel me to try the Steak & Cheese, God Forbid, Benny Franks, Equestrian, Haute Tuna Melt, Garden Rustler, Shimmy and The Opposition. I wouldn’t be opposed to it — because the worst sin is to be boring.